January 1, 2011 (Alpine) – Hit by a double whammy of storm damage followed by thousands of dollars in veterinary bills, the Alpine-based big cat rescue facility Lions Tigers & Bears is seeking help from the public in both cash donations and a wish list of items needed.

December 31, 2010 (San Diego) – A free tow home is available for New Year’s party-goers who don’t want to take chances behind the wheel. The “tipsy tow” service is offered by the Automobile Club of Southern California, but is open to everyone, even if you are not a member. Free tows are available from 6 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. tomorrow by calling 1-800-400-4AAA.

The Auto Club estimates that a first time conviction for driving under the influence can cost $13,468 or more in fines, penalties, restitution, legal fees and increased insurance costs.

DUI Arrests Down; With One Suspected DUI Related Fatality

December 31, 2010 (San Diego)--A countywide holiday anti-DUI crackdown has resulted in numerous DUI arrests during local traffic enforcement details and special DUI deployments in San Diego County. From 12:01 a.m.  December 17 through midnight on December 29, officers from 14 county law enforcement agencies arrested 499 people for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In 2009, 582 DUI arrests and bookings occurred during the same 13 day time period.

As part of the Winter Holiday Anti-DUI crackdown, members from multiple law enforcement agencies in San Diego County will be conducting DUI checkpoints and directed DUI Saturation enforcement during the New Year’s Eve weekend. Details are planned in the following cities, San Diego’s Sheriff office reports:

December 31, 2010 (San Diego)--A woman, 59, was driving her Ford Escort southbound in the 4700 block of College Avenue when an 81-year-old man crossed mid-block in fron of the car and was struck. The pedestrian suffered serious injuries to his arm and both legs.

December 30, 2010 (San Diego's East County)--With three disaster declarations in just one year (for earthquake, flooding, and the “bomb house”), it’s been a turbulent year in East County and San Diego’s inland regions.

Here’s a look back at some of the biggest stories of 2010—from Mother Nature rocking our region to political and economic upheavals. We’ve also had stories of inspiration and courage, some heart-wrenching tales, plus news items that range from wild to just plain wacky.

Here are our picks for the year’s top stories that impacted East County.

December 30, 2010 (San Diego)--HOME (Home Owners Mobile Education) will offer FREE counseling services to San Diego homeowners experiencing difficulties making monthly mortgage payments. The HOME clinic will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2011 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Malcolm X Branch Library & Performing Arts Center.  This event is in co-sponsorship with Congresswoman Susan Davis, and the Legal Aid Society of San Diego Pro Bono Program. 

December 30, 2010 (San Diego) – Across the County, emergency crews are busy repairing roads and assessing other damage from the most recent storm.

Following on the heels of last week’s heavy storms which saturated soils and overflowed numerous waterways, the most recent downpour caused additional rock and mudslides, undermined roads and caused potholes and sinkholes.

December 30, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory for San Diego’s inland valleys and lower deserts for late tonight through mid-morning Friday. Temperatures are expected to dip into the upper 20s to low 30s, with isolated areas in the mid-20s. Strong, gusty winds are also forecast.

December 30, 2010 (El Cajon)—An El Cajon man turned himself into the El Cajon Police Department around 11:30 a.m. today, stating that he was the driver of a hit and run vehicle. According to El Cajon Police Detective Tim Roberts, the driver is John Senati, 46, of El Cajon.

The collision occurred Monday evening in the 500 block of North Mollison Avenue when a vehicle struck and  injured a pedestrian who was crossing the roadway. The pedestrian remains hospitalized in critical condition.

December 29, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Some prominent East County residents passed on in 2010, but left their mark indelibly on our region. A few were famous, such as movie star Dennis Hopper, or tribal leader Anna Sandoval. Some were heroes--including a Pearl Harbor survivor. Others made news with the dramatic means of their passing—stories that touched our hearts or served as lessons learned.

Below are some of the most memorable individuals from San Diego's inland region to whom we bade final farewell in 2010.

This dramatic image of waning storm clouds reflected in Lindo Lake at sunset was captured on film by Dennis Richardson. 

Want to see your photos published in East County Magazine? Submit your best images taken in East County to editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

December 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Police ask the public’s help to locate Diana Ellen Bielawski, who may have driven to Julian in East County's mountains. She may also need medical attention. She was last seen Christmas day, December 25th at 1 p.m. in the 4100 block of Paseo Montanas in the Carmel Creek neighborhood of San Diego. View map.

She was driving a white 2001 Toyota Rav4 with California license 4TJK342. She is white, 26 years old, 120 pounds, 5 feet 6 inches tall, with brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a tan/brown/white belted sweater and black pants.

In April 2007, the first condor spotted in San Diego County in over 100 years soared into East County across the Mexican border. It may be the last, if the wind industry has its way.

By Jim Wiegand

December 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County)--When is the media going to put an honest spotlight on the wind industry? When is the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service going to wake up?

I am an expert on birds of prey and have seen many environmental impact reports and studies generated for the wind industry. I have yet to see an honest one. All that read this should find this statement shocking.

December 27, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- A winter storm is set to hit San Diego County Tuesday night and Wednesday, followed by chilly temperatures and up to two inches of snow down to 4000 feet in East County’s mountains and snow flurries in the high desert regions. Near zero visibility is forecast due to blowing snow and high wind gusts up to 60 mph.

Moderate to heavy rains are predicted. The National Weather Service warns that the added rainfall will cause rapid runoff and flooding due to ground saturation from recent storms.

December 27, 2010 (San Diego) -- Professional motorcycle thieves are using secondary ignitions and altered motorcycle ignitions known as “pigtails” as bypass devices to steal sport motorcycles throughout San Diego County. A pigtail acts like a picklock, enabling a thief to steal a bike in less than 20 seconds.

On January 1st, a new law takes effect which makes it a misdemeanor to possess any device or specialized tools designed to bypass the factory installed ignition of a motorcycle.